A RYEDALE van driver "committed a grave error of judgement" in a crash which caused the death of a neighbour, an inquest heard.

North Yorkshire East Coroner Michael Oakley heard that the van driven by Douglas I'Dell, of Spring Field Garth, Norton, was in a poor condition when police examined it following the crash in which 34-year-old metal prefabricator Andrew Popham, also of Spring Field Garth, died.

Mr I'Dell told the inquest he used the van once or twice a month. It had been off the road for four months, but was insured.

He was returning to Norton from Kirby Misperton when, on reaching the junction with the A169 Pickering to Malton road, he saw two headlights in the distance to his right. He checked the road was clear to the left then looked right before starting to move out.

"The lights had appeared to be quite a long way away," he said.

Mr I'Dell added that he believed Mr Popham had been "going fairly quickly".

Traffic Constable David Taylor said Mr Popham had been riding his Suzuki motorcycle towards Pickering.

He added that the view at the junction was restricted because of the high hedge.

When an examination was made of the van it was "maintained in a poor condition and its brakes needed replacing straight away".

The motorcycle, which had been in good order, had been driven on dipped beam headlights, said TC Taylor.

He added that the motorcycle would not have been travelling at more than 50mph and its speed could have been as low as 24mph.

TC Taylor believed Mr Popham had braked and tried to put the motorcycle "on the ground", but lost control when the van pulled out in front of him.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Oakley said Mr Popham was on the priority road.

While Mr I'Dell had said he had no problems handling the van, the onus was on him to ensure there was sufficient time to get out of the junction.

"He committed a grave error of judgement in assessing the distance of the motorcycle".

Updated: 11:23 Thursday, June 12, 2003